Writing this 3 months after seeing the touted GOAT of triathlon in Hamburg who is racing his last professional race in IM Nice.

06.04.23

Braved the 19C temp of Lake Alster with close to 3,000 other wide-open sets of eyes.

Kept swimming which felt like forever. Overwhelming feeling of relief when I finally saw the stairs to the finish with the sea of volunteers in blue shirt.

Checked my watch to see how much time I have left and was happy to see I finished the 3.8km swim in 1:49 — 31 minutes before cut off.

Peeled off the wetsuit, grabbed bike shoes, bib number and helmet to tackle my most dreaded part of the race.

At the bike mount area, the crowd gave a hero’s sendoff.

My plan is to just get over the bike within the cut off. Don’t go all out in Loop 1. It’s a 2 loop course so I must conserve my energy and power to make sure I have enough for the entire course.

While I was starting to get settled down to my race at around 70km, we were asked to dismount and walk the embankment as there was an accident involving another participant and a rider covering the event.
(later found out one guy involved in the accident, died. may his soul RIP 🙏🏻)

At 80km, felt not so good. Doubts set in fighting for focus. My legs are getting tired and I was telling myself to just stop the madness by racking the bike at the end of the first loop.

At the 90k turnaround, I looked at my watch. 25 mins before cutoff. Don’t quit now – I found myself telling myself. Let’s see how far you can make it. So I continued to pedal.

The morning sun gave way to the afternoon sun. Kept riding and grinding. After all, this is just a long training day.

Finally back in town after 180 kms and more than 7 hours.

Racked the bike. Checked watch. I have 5 minutes to go into the run start.

Took off helmet & bike shoes. Grabbed the running shoes and off I go to the run start where I put my shoes.

Time check, I have 5:45 hrs to complete the run. I relaxed a little bit, knowing that I think I can finish the run even if I have to walk.

Took that first step of a thousand (a million?) and know that the the race is down to my own two feet.

That first kilometer felt horrible so is the second. And the next 40 kilometers after.

Settled down just like i did on the bike, and tried to find my pace.

Kept running and walking. Chugged every water, cola, energy drink and grabbed food —sliced bananas, pretzels & energy bars the volunteers handed out at every aid station.

The kilometers dragged on. It didn’t help the run course is 4 loops. Messed with my head. By the second loop of the run I wanted to just quit. My legs are telling me to stop. I don’t think I want to run the next 21 kms.

Looked at my watch and calculated – I think I will make the cut off if I run/walk.

So I dragged my feet and told myself I’ll make it. All I have to do is get there.

Finally, the last loop. I thanked all the volunteers on the run course who were still happily and energetically handing out food and energy drinks. And soon thereafter the last kilometer.

Exhausted and wiped out, I still managed to command my legs to run the last 500m.

The lights grew brighter, brighter, and brighter. And the music louder, louder and louder.

People I don’t know cheered and clapped for me. I felt I was a rockstar.

Smiled, thanked them and heard my name called out.

15 hrs and 19 mins. 11 mins before cut off.
Finally the end of a long day.

Thank you Lord for giving me strength and granting me the grace to safely finish the race. Thank you Hamburg for a memorable race!

No more long rides on the trainer at 230 am (while everyone else sleeps) followed by long runs and long weekend swims. For now. 🥳